Subject:
John Agar Dies at 81
Date: Thursday,
April 11, 2002
Info:
The following is the article from MSNBC.com:
LOS ANGELES,
April 9 — John Agar, an Army sergeant whose 1945 marriage to Shirley Temple
launched him on an acting career that began with classic John Ford Westerns and
ended with schlock horror films, has died at age 81, friends said Tuesday.
The actor died of complications from emphysema at St. Joseph Medical Center in
Burbank, his longtime friend, film producer A.C. Lyles, said.
Agar was a 24-year-old Army Air Corps sergeant when he married a then 17-year-old Shirley Temple, whom he had met through his sister who went to the same high school as the child star.
A movie contract soon followed and John Ford cast him opposite Temple and John Wayne in the Western classic “Fort Apache” in 1948. He appeared in four films with Wayne, Ford’s ”She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” and “Sands of Iwo Jima” as well as ”Chisum” and “Big Jake.”
Agar’s marriage to Temple ended in divorce in 1950 and his acting career went from Westerns and war films to science fiction and horror films,
The latter group including “Revenge of the Creature,” “The Mole People” and “The Brain from Planet Arous.” Critic Leonard Maltin said that Agar’s “outrageous overacting” in “Planet Arous” made it into a cult classic.
In recent years, Agar appeared in bit roles in TV shows and films and made frequent appearances at fan shows where science fiction devotees gave him star treatment.
He is survived by two sons and two daughters, two brothers and four grandchildren.
-------------------
John Agar played Thomas Malloy in The Pandora Directive. The Internet Movie Database lists his date of death as Sunday, April 7, 2002. He will definitely be missed.
Subject:
Aaron Conners on the Whiteshark page
Date: Monday,
February 25, 2002
Info:
Aaron Conners has replied to several questions regarding Whiteshark Entertainment's "A Black Sun Ascending" page. He says, "Chris Jones and I sent them a copy of my screenplay and told them we'd be willing to talk if they found legitimate means of funding a feature film." In regards to the differences in the stories of the game and the movie, Aaron said, "The new version of the screenplay -- which Chris, Adrian and I all agree is a great improvement -- has many similarities to "Pandora", but there are also some significant differences, including the finale. Changes such as Tanguska, Malikov, etc. were all my ideas -- I felt that the intrigue of the Roswell angle had diminished since "Pandora" and that I could tell a better story by incorporating a lesser-known (but equally fascinating) event in place of Roswell."
So while this means there is no Tex film currently in production, it does mean (as we've known for a while) that they are in the process of trying to get one made, though whether or not Whiteshark will be involved if it ever goes ahead, remains to be seen.
Subject:
A Tex Murphy Movie?
Date: Thursday,
February 21, 2002
Info:
Mcdonis from the Tex Murphy Message Board has posted a message with a very interesting link to a site describing a Tex Murphy movie. The company "Whiteshark Entertainment" claims that the film "A Black Sun Ascending" is one of their current film projects. As many of you probably know, A Black Sun Ascending is the name of the proposed film based upon the Pandora Directive. It seems likely that this company is currently looking for another company to produce with (most of the time a movie is a joint venture between two or more companies). Could this mean that we'll be seeing a Tex Murphy film soon? In an article about the postponement of Radio Theatre #6 at the Unofficial Tex Murphy Site, Aaron Conners was quoted as saying, "While no firm decisions have been made yet by MS, Chris and I are increasingly optimistic that Tex will return in a new game, hopefully around 'Tex's birthdate'...". Tex's birthdate is March 4, 2004, so they are optimistic of a 2004 release. If a film were in the process of being made then a game by that time is conceivable. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Some
interesting things from the article:
- The name "Thomas Malloy" seemss to have changed to "Tomas
Malikov"
- The year the story takes place in is 20224 and the time reversal occurred in
2012
- The plot doesn't seem to involve the Rosswell spacecraft, but instead the
Tanguska meteor
- The article mentions that Tex's "smmooth-talking former PI partner"
will make an appearance. Who are they referring to?
I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, so until there's any confirmation on this, consider it a rumor. If you want to read the whole article, you can do so by clicking here.
Subject:
Flash Webisodes to be replaced by "Radio Shows"
Date: Monday, October
01, 2001
Info:
Adrian Carr has confirmed the message DV posted on the Unofficial Tex Murphy board that the Flash Webisodes that were planned have been replaced by radio shows. From what I understand, it will play out much like radio shows that kept people entertained before the television came along. There is no information yet on when they'll be released, but it will use the voices of several of the actors from the games. Adrian also said that there are still plans to bring Tex to the big screen and efforts are also being made to make the next Tex game. Hopefully I'll have some more news to report about this soon.
Subject:
Aaron Conners replies regarding Re-release / Tex
Movie
Date: Tuesday, July
24, 2001
Info:
Aaron Conners has sent out an e-mail to those who asked him about the message posted Thursday night at texmurphy.com. This is what he had to say:
Hello everyone:
Since you all sent me the announcement below, I thought I'd respond en masse.
This is an obvious and quite entertaining hoax. I thought the biggest tip-offs
were the Photo Gallery of scantily clad "Tex Girls",
and me being quoted as saying "...our old MASTERPIECES..." Chris and I
would certainly love to do to release an "Ultimate Detective Box Set,"
but it's not being done.
Thanks for all the interest,
Aaron
So it was another imposter. At first I thought it might be real, but the more I thought about everything that was being said in the message the more I realized it had to be a fake. Several good points were made at the texmurphy.com message board.
On another note we still have something to be happy about when it comes to Tex. According to Adrian Carr a Tex movie is currently in the works and the scripts for the next three games have been written. Check out all the news at Adele's Adrian Carr page.
Subject:
Tex Series to be Re-released?
Date:
Friday, July 20, 2001
Info:
In a message at texmurphy.com DV, of CARP International has said that there is currently a re-release of the five Tex games in the works which will be more compatible with current operating systems and have improved graphics. It will all be released on a single DVD, but the CDs will be included in the box. Unfortunately, it seems to good to be true, especially the expansion pack that is expected to be released as a separate package at the same time as the re-release of the games. With all that has happened with imposters on the message boards over the past few years I can't help but be skeptical. Hopefully I'll have some more information for you soon on whether or not this is official news soon. For now, you can read the message posted on the texmurphy.com messageboard by following this link:
www.texmurphy.com/tm/showmessage.asp?id=1589
Subject:
Award-winning adventures of 2000
Date: Saturday, December 30, 2000
Info:
I just want to report on some of the "awards" that have recently been handed out to adventure games that were released this past year. As you know, some people believe that the adventure genre is dying, and that's why we're not seeing another Tex game (there's no official news, yet anyway), so let me just give you some info on a few good games that were released in 2000, you can still get them at all computer stores (unless they sell out):
Download
the Demo (80MB) |
Winner:
Adventure Game of the Year (GameSpot) |
|
| Certainly
one of the best adventures ever made. You play April Ryan, an 18-year-old
art student living in Newport, a futuristic American city. Soon her world
is turned upsidedown when she learns that there is more than just her
world, which she discovers is named Stark, the land of science and order,
but there's another, Arcadia, the land of magic and chaos. The Balance
between the two worlds if failing and its up to April to restore the
Balance before chaos destroys both worlds.
|
||
Download the Demo (Min: 50MB) |
Winner:
Adventure Game of the Year
(Voodoo Extreme) |
|
| In Escape from Monkey Island, you play Guybrush Threepwood, a wannabe pirate. After Guybrush returns from his honeymoon with his wife, Governor Elaine Marley, they find that Elaine has been declared dead at sea, and a man by the name of Charles L. Charles is running for governor. When Guybrush sets out to prevent the demolition of the Governor's Mansion, he discovers that his grandfather-in-law had the plans to the Ultimate Insult, which would turn all pirates into cowardly little mice. Now Guybrush is in a race against time to uncover the ultimate insult before it ends up in the hands of the pirate-hating Australian billionaire, Ozzie Mandrill. | ||
Subject: Tex is coming back (don't
get too excited just yet)
Date: Friday, September 8, 2000
Info:
Right now you're probably getting excited. Can't wait to get Tex back. Get ready to slump down in your seat. Tex is returning all right, but only in the Flash format and on JustAdventure.com. I'm not clear on exactly how its going to work, but let me tell you, this will not be as good as a real Tex game, I just can't see how it will be possible. I thought when I found out about Tex's return (If it ever happened) I'd be more happy than this, but right now I'm no more excited about the Flash Tex than I would be about getting a root canal. I'm being dead serious here. "Why?" you ask. Because this means one thing: Chris Jones, Aaron Conners and the rest of the Access gang over at Microsoft have given up hope that Tex will ever return in a full budget, sold in stores game. Personally I'd rather Tex just be released in novel format. If you want some more information check out CARP International. In the mean time, make sure you sign Chris Marsland's petition if you haven't already, because we're going to put it into overdrive and give the Access guys proof to give Mr. Gates that Tex Murphy deserves a real game.
Subject: Black Pearl Cancelled,
Petition Started
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2000
Info:
Access Software's action project, The Black Pearl, based upon Mark Hamill's (aka Luke Skywalker) comic books, has been cancelled according to Adrian Carr, the director of both The Pandora Directive and Tex Murphy Overseer. He suggests that now would be a good time to start a petition. And that has been done at Coit Tower, Chris Marsland's site. Head over there now to check it out and sign! Thanks to Adele for passing us the info on The Black Pearl.
Subject: Audio Adaptation
Cancelled
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2000
Info:
The audio adaptation of The Pandora Directive has been cancelled. Click here to read more about it at The Unofficial Tex Murphy Webpage!
Subject: The first
"Speeder" is here!
Date: Sunday, April 30, 2000
Info:
In the April 30th "Toronto Star" and interesting article was posted in the science section (located in the section: "Body and Soul" pg. F8 for those interested). For those of you who cannot get the paper, or don't want to, I've provided a picture. I think this is pretty cool. Does this mean flying cars could be commonplace by the 30's (When the earliest Tex game takes place). I guess we'll just have to find out:
Subject: Top 20 Adventure Games of
All Time
Date: Sunday, February 27, 2000
Info:
Under a Killing Moon made it to 15th spot on Adventure Gamer's top 20 Adventure Games of all time. Other games that made it to the list include Grim Fandango, Gabriel Knight, Monkey Island and Myst. Click here to visit Adventure Gamer's top 20, or click here to go right to the article on Under a Killing Moon!
Subject: Microsoft
IS buying Access
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999
Info:
It's official, a press release by the Microsoft Corporation and Access Software Inc. has confirmed that Microsoft will buy Access, here is the press release which I acquired from The Unofficial Tex Murphy Site:
Press Release: April 19, 1999
Microsoft to Acquire Access
Software
REDMOND, WA - April 19, 1999 - Microsoft today announced its intent to acquire Access
Software, the leading developer and publisher of PC golf games. A 15 year old franchise,
Access’ Links series, which includes the recently released Links LS 99, has been the
best-selling PC golf line in both units and dollars since 1992.
"We are excited to be reuniting the Microsoft-Access team that created the original
Microsoft Golf franchise," said Ed Fries, general manager of Microsoft Games Group.
"Their top flight management and development talent will be a true asset to us. We
share a vision to create games that are accessible, fun to play and vastly rich in
content."
Microsoft plans to continue publishing the MS Golf series in order to round out the
company’s golf offerings. The Microsoft Golf line will provide consumers with
value-priced PC golf game, while Links would occupy the premium position for the golf
simulation customer.
Under the terms of the pending acquisition, Microsoft would acquire the entire Links
library including Links LS, Links Extreme, the Phoenix of Japan Add-On Course, the US Open
at Pinehurst and the 5-Course Libraries Volumes 1-4. In addition, Microsoft would acquire
the Tex Murphy adventure series.
Microsoft's intent is to allow development of Access' titles to continue in Access' Salt
Lake City office. Bruce Carver, president, founder and CEO of Access Software, would join
Microsoft and assume the responsibility of preserving and growing the Links franchise by
continuing to focus on product development.
"The acquisition provides a great opportunity for Access Software. Our development
team would remain in Salt Lake City, allowing our focus to continue to be on producing
great PC golf games, while we would also benefit from Microsoft’s global marketing
and distribution resources," said Carver.
Currently under development at Access is Links Extreme, a game which features golf with
attitude, including such areas of Deathmatch Golf and a Demolition Driving Range. Links
Extreme is intended to be the first game to be co-branded under the Access/Microsoft name.
A perennial award-winner, Access has received numerous distinctions for their titles,
including:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use; each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Subject: Microsoft
buying Access?
Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999
Info:
Well the rumor about Microsoft buying Access Software seems to have come up again, this time with even more certainty. A message posted on the Tex Murphy Message Board explains:
...just read where Microsoft has made arrangements to buy Access Software. According to the article I read at Gamespot, Access will continue operating from its home offices, obtaining money and probably project guidance from Microsoft. This is, of course, mostly about Links, which is what Access makes money on, but it could impact the future of the Tex Murphey games, if they have one, and I thought some of you would like to know.
Could this be good for the future of Tex Murphy? Is it even going to happen? We'll just have wait and find out.
Subject: The Nano War
Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999
Info:
Well Buckland Productions, run by me and Chris Marsland has opened a site that explains our upcoming Tex Text Adventure, The Nano War. Visit it now for information on the game plus weekly progress reports, a chatroom and a messageboard!
Subject: Coit
Tower Chat
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999
Info:
Chris
Marsland, Owner of Coit Tower will be holding a chat, this Friday (April 2nd) or Saturday
(April 3rd) depending on where you live at the following time:
10PM Friday - Eastern Standard Time (New York)
7PM Friday - Pacific Time (Los Angeles)
3AM Saturday - Greenwich Mean (London)
1PM Saturday - Australian Eastern Time (Melbourne)
The chat is to discuss the future of the Tex Murphy games and the upcoming "The Black Pearl".
Subject: The Unofficial Tex Murphy
Website
Date: Sunday, February 28, 1999
Info:
The Unofficial Tex Murphy Website has re-opened at adventuregamer.com and there is some interesting news bits at the Bay City Mirror. Hopefully one of them isn't true, because this time, its not April Fools...
Subject: Coit Tower
Date: Thursday, January 14, 1999
Info:
Chris Marsland's site, Coit Tower, will be down for about a week as he changes its look.
Subject: The Unofficial Tex Murphy Web Site
Date: Saturday, January 2, 1999
Info:
James Lemosy's Unofficial Tex Murphy Site has re-opened! It has a partial new look, a new message board and there is soon to be a chat room!
Subject: Tex Murphy On-Line
Date: Saturday, December 19, 1998
Info:
Texmurphy.com brought out the news yestersay that Espen has shut down his Tex Murphy Site. I will surely miss it.
Subject: Access Software mailing list
Date: Thursday, December 10, 1998
Info:
Access has started their own mailing list. For special offers, breaking information on Tex Murphy and Links LS, and a chance to win Links '99 signed by Arnold Palmer, sign up now!
Subject: Overseer's missing 100 points
Date: Sunday, October 25, 1998
Info:
Well, I have found where the missing 100 points are in Overseer. You do not receive the 100 bomus points for solving the implant removal puzzle. I have e-mailed Access to see what is wrong, if it's something we're doing or if it is a bug (Because it says we get 100 bonus points so I doubt we did anything wrong, if we did it wouldn't say that.)
Subject: The Ritz Hotel, A Tex Murphy Webpage, Coit Tower
Date: Thursday, October 01, 1998
Info:
Well in the past three days The Ritz Hotel, A Tex Murphy Webpage and Coit Tower have all re-opened! Visit them all right now! (Unless of course your not done with my page yet.)
Subject: My E-mail Program
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 1998
Info:
For the past 10 days I have not been able to retrieve my e-mail due to some technical problems, however, thye were solved and I finally got them yesterday, only to find that I cannot send e-mail. So know I have to figure out what's wrong. In the meantime would you send any e-mail to me at the following address: mbuckstein@hotmail.com . Thank you. Now as for those who sent me e-mail between the 15 and the 26 I will try to reply from that address. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Subject: Tex Murphy On (the) Line
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Info:
Tex Murphy On (the) Line is
up and running again and Espen Solberg is holding a contest, go to his site for more
information!
Subject: What's New
Date: Saturday, June 20, 1998
Info:
I'm sorry for the lack of updates in the past two weeks it's just that
I've been having some computer problems and I have been studying for exams, which I am
glad to say will be over on Monday and then I'll be off for the summer!
I have started a new week of CAPRICORN.
I have also added information to Pandora Directive Interesting Facts.
You may also notice that I have made the Table of Contents look nicer.
Also, along the same line I have made any pages that had a white background have a black
background so they go with the rest of the site.
I have added Chelsee's birthdate to Overseer Characters.
Finally, I would like to inform you that I just finished passing
Overseer on Entertainment mode, for the millionth time and I got the maximum score! Yes,
1502 points! I have picture proof below if you don't believe me:
How, are you asking, did I do this? A little secret Access Software probably doesn't want you to know about. If you have passed Overseer on Entertainment mode with 1457 or more you can easily get all the points. All you have to do is get the bible, but do not combine it with the bible verses puzzle. If you solve the bible verses without combining it you will get 22 extra points! The same goes for the braille puzzle. Do not combine it with the braille alphabet for an extra 22 points! It is that simple. Unfortunately, I tried this on Gamer mode and I was off the maximum score by 93 points so it looks as though there is quite a bit to do on Gamer mode. As soon as I get the maximum score on Gamer Mode I will make an Overseer points list.
Subject: The Ritz
Hotel
Date: Thursday, June 4, 1998
Info:
I visited the Ritz Hotel today and I am glad to say that it is up and
running again!
Subject: American Information
Database
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 1998
Info:
Today I brought up the American Information Database. This where you
will find important information on the world of Tex Murphy.
